We look back at some of the key moments in the history of Central Coast Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers.
They-ve met just six times in the history of the Hyundai A-League, but already Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers have developed one of the fiercest rivalries in the competition.
This Saturday, another instalment of the yellow and navy of Central Coast versus the red and black Western Sydney will play out on the pitch and in the stands, as the two clubs go head-to-head for the final time before the 2014 Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
Here-s a summary of the clashes between the clubs so far, and at top a gallery including some of the key, historical moments of meetings between Mariners and Wanderers since the teams first fought back in October 2012.
Game 1: Saturday 6 October 2012 at Parramatta Stadium
Result: 0-0
Nothing can separate Mariners and Wanderers in round 1 of the 2012/13 season. In fact, the game offered little to suggest that by seasons- end, Central Coast and Western Sydney would be the fiercest of foes.
Game 2: Sunday 6 January 2013 at Parramatta Stadium
Result: 0-2 Mariners
In front of 16,387 raucous fans, the Mariners record a 2-0 triumph over Tony Popovic-s team with Daniel McBreen bagging a brace. The loss is the Wanderers- last before the 2013 Hyundai A-League Finals Series, but little did they know it wouldn-t be their last.
Game 3: Saturday 2 March 2013 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Result: 0-1 Wanderers
With just five games left in the regular season the Mariners pepper the Wanderers- goal but can-t quite get the better of Western Sydney goalkeeper Ante Covic. With 18,721 vociferous supporters in attendance, Labinot Haliti makes the most of one of very few chances in the game for Western Sydney to secure all three points.
Game 4: Sunday 21 April 2013 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Result: 0-2 Mariners
It-s Hyundai A-League Grand Final Day and the Wanderers haven-t lost in 13 matches. But with a win and a draw to either side in the regular season, and the Mariners entering the decider highly motivated to secure the club its first Championship, the game was always going to be tight. Patrick Zwaanswijk finds the back of the net with a header just before half time, before Daniel McBreen doubles Central Coast-s advantages 68 minutes in from the penalty spot. When referee Peter Green blows his whistle for full time, the Coast erupts, and the most consistent club in the land has its reward for eight seasons of effort and toil. For the thousands of Wanderers fans inside Allianz, they head home with fancy fairytale dreams dashed.
Game 5: Saturday 12 October 2013 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Result: 1-1
Billed as a ‘Grand Final Rematch- though with significantly less at stake, nothing can again separate Mariners and Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign. Mitchell Duke nets for the Mariners ten minutes after the break from a brilliant Marcos Flores pass, but Tomi Juric levels proceedings with just three minutes left to play. The teams search for a late winner, but neither side can find the back of the net for a second time.
Game 6: Monday 23 December 2013 at Parramatta Stadium
Result: 2-0 Wanderers
For the first time in the history of the Mariners Wanderers rivalry, the home team secures all three points. Juric and Youssouf Hersi net in the first half and while the Mariners fight back in the second stanza, it’s the red and blacks that earn bragging rights.
Game 7: Saturday 29 March 2014 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Result: ?-?
Be at Central Coast Stadium this Saturday to barrack for your team as the Mariners & Wanderers fight for supremacy! The teams are locked two, two & two in the history of the competition, and just two points separates the sides with three games left to play before the 2014 Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers – Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Round 25
Saturday 29 March 2014
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Gates open: 4:30pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase tickets to the match
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter using #CCMvWSW & #ThanksMile
